Barcelona plot raid for Arsenal playmaker

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil will reportedly be offered the chance to join Barcelona during this summer’s transfer window. The Germany international has struggled to showcase his best form in the current season, and this has in hand affected the Gunners’ progress in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old has just 14 months’ left on his previous deal, but he is still holding out on an extension owing to the Gunners’ reluctance to match his £300,000-a-week wage demands.

According to The Star, via TMW, the World Cup winner could be lured to the Camp Nou this summer after having opted against a fresh deal at the Emirates.

Ozil has largely failed to show up in the big games this term, and this has brought a sense of frustration among the faithful who expect more from a player of his calibre.

The former Real Madrid man was the leading assist-getter during the previous campaign with 19 assists in the top flight. But, he has not managed to achieve a similar tally this term – only six, with injuries and lack of form playing a part along the way.

Barcelona have held a keen interest in Ozil over the years, and their pursuit had been revealed by the player himself (Metro), who insisted that his dream move was scuppered in 2010 due to the negligence of then-boss Pep Guardiola.

Ozil has been carried by his fellow Gunners teammates in the past couple of outings, and it appears that his career is on a downfall following his visible lack of effort on the playing field.

As of now, the German’s final appearance for Arsenal could be in the FA Cup final against Chelsea next month with his contract saga seemingly dragging into the summer.

Fellow teammate Alexis Sanchez is also in a similar contract standoff with the North London outfit, although he has fared far better with 24 goals and 14 assists across all competitions.

Image – Getty